Matthew 25:27 You should therefore to have put my money...

Spoken to: 

Apostles

A parable describing a man traveling abroad, turning over his stuff to personal servants.

KJV: 

Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

NIV : 

Matthew 25:27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

It requires you, really, to dump that cash of mine with the bankers and, showing up, I myself could recover for myself this my own together with interest.

MY TAKE: 

When we are fearful about the market, invest to earn interest.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

There are a number of words--deposit, bankers, recovered, interest--here that are uncommon for Jesus to use but they show that Jesus had specific knowledge of finance. Jesus doesn't use these words except in this story and its parallel in Luke 19:23. This is a common feature in Jesus's use of humor, using uncommon words, as we move from the narrative to the "pay-off." Unfortunately, this type of humor is difficult to capture.

The word translated as "exchangers" and "bankers"  is a word built from the Greek word that now means "bank." Jesus only uses it here and this word itself is not used elsewhere in Greek. However, the source word, "bank" has the primary meaning of "table" or "counter," which originally meant "table" from the "tables" or "counters" of money-changers. However, it is not the Greek word used elsewhere in the NT translated as "money-changers." This word is used because it is a pun since the word for "bank" also means the grinding surface of teeth and the lower millstone which grinds grain. So the sense here equates the "grinders" with"bankers."

The word translated as "usury" primarily means "childbirth" but specifically to the gestation period in the womb. You can see how the idea of growing bank interest arose from growth in the womb. Money gives birth to more money. The word itself is a good summary of this verse.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

11
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "thou" is not the subject but an object.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "therefore" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "put" should be something more like "deposit."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "money" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "then at my" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "received" is not the common word usually translated as "received."
  • WV  - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "my own" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

12
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "well then" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "though" is not the subject but an object.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "really" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "money" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "so that when I" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "returned" is not an active verb but a participle, "returning."
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "received" is not the common word usually translated as "received."
  • WV  - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "my own" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Thou -- (WF) This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb but it is the object of the verb's action not the subject acting.

oughtest  - The first word here, translated as "oughtest" isn't like any of our common verbs in English. It is a little like we use the word "must" but the subject is not the person who "must" do something. The sense is similar "it is necessary" or, in this case, "it is necessary for you." "You" is the object of this verb, however, not an indirect object as in the English version. It is in a tense, we usually translate as the past.

therefore  - (CW) The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative. Here, it is used for emphasis, not to continue what Jesus was saying. This matches with the negatives Jesus uses in the previous verse (Matthew 25:26 ), which also have the sense of "really."

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

put  - (WW)  The word translated as "put" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." When applied to money, it has to the specific meaning of "putting money on deposit." However, it is used before the mention of money, so what the readers would hear initially is "toss." This is a common word for Jesus to use humorously so one meaning here would be "dump." It is not the word normally translated as "put" or "place."

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

money -- The word translated as "money" is very uncommon for Jesus. It means "money" in the sense we use the term "cash," referring to the actual metal "silver."

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

exchangers,  - The word translated as "exchangers" is a made-up word from the Greek word that now means "bank." Jesus only uses it here and the word itself is not used elsewhere in Greek. However, the source word, "bank" has the primary meaning of "table" or "counter." which originally meant "table" from the "tables" or "counters" of money-changers. However, it is not the Greek word used elsewhere in the NT translated as "money-changers." This word is used because it is a pun, since the word for "bank" also means the grinding surface of teeth and the lower millstone which grinds grain. So the sense here is the "grinders" or "bankers."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

then at my -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "then at my" in the Greek source.

coming  -  The word translated as "at my coming primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. Here it is an adjective "coming" modifying the "I" that follows. "Showing up" works here better.

I  - The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb and is unnecessary. Its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I" and Christ uses it usually for humorous effect. Here, it refers back to the earlier criticism made of the lord.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

should -- There is a particle after the verb here that can be translated as "should" but "should" is usually indicated by a special verb form.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

received  - (CW) Another uncommon verb is translated as "received" primarily means "to take care of" but it also means "to get back" which works in this context, but "recovered" says it more simply. It also means "to receive," but Jesus has another word he common uses for that idea.

missing "by/for myself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject acts on "myself," "for myself" or "by myself."

missing "this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

mine own - "My own" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the article so "that of mine."

with  - The word translated as "with" is also not from the word Christ uses to say "with." It is from a preposition that Christ rarely uses that means "along with" and, when referring to things "attached to" and "by means of." The last meaning makes sense here.

usury.  - The word translated as "usury" primarily means "childbirth" but specifically to the gestation period in the womb. You can see how the idea of bank interest arose from growth in the womb as a kind of slang. Money gives birth to more money. The word itself is a good summary of this verse.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Well then, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "well then" in the Greek source.

you -- (WF) This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb but it is the object of the verb's action not the subject acting.

should have - The first word here, translated as "should have" isn't like any of our common verbs in English. It is a little like we use the word "must" but the subject is not the person who "must" do something. The sense is similar "it is necessary" or, in this case, "it is necessary for you." "You" is the object of this verb, however, not an indirect object as in the English version. It is in a tense, we usually translate as the past.

missing "really"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "really" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative. Here, it is used for emphasis, not to continue what Jesus was saying. This matches with the negatives Jesus uses in the previous verse (Matthew 25:26 ), which also have the sense of "really."

put  - The word translated as "put...on deposit" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." When applied to money, it has to the specific meaning of "putting money on deposit." However, it is used before the mention of money, so what the readers would hear initially is "toss." This is a common word for Jesus to use humorously so one meaning here would be "dump." It is not the word normally translated as "put" or "place."

my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.

money -- The word translated as "money" is very uncommon for Jesus. It means "money" in the sense we use the term "cash," referring to the actual metal "silver."

on deposit -- This finishes the concept of the verb.

with -- This word "with " comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

bankers,  - The word translated as "bankers" is a made-up word from the Greek word that now means "bank." Jesus only uses it here and the word itself is not used elsewhere in Greek. However, the source word, "bank" has the primary meaning of "table" or "counter." which originally meant "table" from the "tables" or "counters" of money-changers. However, it is not the Greek word used elsewhere in the NT translated as "money-changers." This word is used because it is a pun, since the word for "bank" also means the grinding surface of teeth and the lower millstone which grinds grain. So the sense here is the "grinders" or "bankers."

missing "and"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").

 so that when I -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "so that when I" in the Greek source.

returned - (WW, WF) The word translated as "returned" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. Here it is an adjective "coming" modifying the "I" that follows. "Showing up" works here better.

I  - The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb and is unnecessary. Its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I" and Christ uses it usually for humorous effect. Here, it refers back to the earlier criticism made of the lord.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

would -- -- There is a particle after the verb here that can be translated as "should," but "should" is usually indicated by a special verb form.

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

received  - (CW) Another uncommon verb is translated as "received" primarily means "to take care of" but it also means "to get back" which works in this context, but "recovered" says it more simply. It also means "to receive," but Jesus has another word he common uses for that idea.

it -- (CW) The "it"  is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and her precedes the untranslated word meaning "my own."  The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

back -- This finishes the idea of the verb.

missing "by/for myself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject acts on "myself," "for myself" or "by myself."

missing "my own"  -- (MW) the missing "my own" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the article so "that of mine."

with  - The word translated as "with" is also not from the word Christ uses to say "with." It is from a preposition that Christ rarely uses that means "along with" and, when referring to things "attached to" and "by means of." The last meaning makes sense here.

interest.  - The word translated as "usury" primarily means "childbirth" but specifically to the gestation period in the womb. You can see how the idea of bank interest arose from growth in the womb as a kind of slang. Money gives birth to more money. The word itself is a good summary of this verse.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ἔδει  [28 verses](verb 3rd sg imperf ind act) "Oughtest" is from, dei, which means "needful," and "there is need."

σε: [47 verses](pron 2nd sg acc) "Thou" is from se which is the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." -- The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners.

οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Therefore" is from oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."

βαλεῖν [54 verses](verb aor inf act) "To have put" is ballo, which means "to throw," "to let fall," "to cast," "to put," "to pour," "to place money on deposit," "push forward or in front [of animals]," "to shed," "to place," "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky," "to fall," "to lay as foundation," "to begin to form," "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."

τὰ [821 verses](article sg neut acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

ἀργύριά [5 verses] (noun sg neut acc) "Money" is from argyrion, which means "small coin," "piece of money," "money," "cash," and "silver."

μου [132 verses](pron 1st sg masc gen) "My" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."

τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the")

τραπεζείταις, [1 verse](noun pl masc dat) "exchangers" is trapezites, which means "money changer," "banker," and "broker." This is a "coined" word from trapeza, the Greek word for "bank."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

ἐλθὼν [198 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "At my coming" is from erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is from ego, which is the first person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.

ἐκομισάμην [1 verse](verb 1st sg aor ind mid) "Have...received" is from komizo, which means "to take care of," "to provide for," "to receive," "to treat," "to carry away as so to preserve," "to convey," "to get back," "to recover," and "to return."

ἂν [60 verses](particle) "Should be" is from an, which is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could."

τὸ [821 verses](article sg masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

ἐμὸν (adj sg masc acc) "Mine own" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."

σὺν [4 verses](prep) "With" is from syn, which means "along with," "in company with," "together with," "together," of things "attached to," as an instrument "by means of,"

τόκῳ. [2 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Usury" is tokos, which means "childbirth," "the time of childbirth," "period of gestation," "offspring," "produce of money," and "interest."

Related Verses: 

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings: 

"It was really necessary," he continued sternly, "for you to toss my cash to the grinders."

The crowd laughed because this was a slang way of saying "put my money on deposit with the bankers.

"So and, at my coming, I," he continued, emphasizing the word. "Might have gotten back what is mine back..."

Here, he paused, rubbing his hands together in the fashion of a banker and said greedily, "Along with what it gives birth to."

The followers laughed.

Front Page Date: 

Nov 13 2021